In Preaching Articles: "Helpful Questions"

Build Your Sermon Series On The Wonder, Worry And Wishes Of Your Congregation

By Charles Arn on Mar 9, 2024

The most important thing has to do with your sermon topics. They should address people's life issues and questions about the faith.

Scripture: Matthew 6:25-34, Job 21:7-34

Tags: Worry, preaching, Preaching, worry, Wonder, Relevance, Wish  (view more)  (view less)

6 Foundations For Preaching About Hell

By Josh Reich on Mar 5, 2026

Hell is in the Bible. Death, the afterlife, heaven, hell, are all questions our culture wrestles with. People wonder about it.

Scripture: Judges 1:1-30

Tags: Preaching, preaching

How Long Should I Preach

By Brian Croft on Aug 22, 2023

The answer to this question largely depends on the kind of pastor you are, the quality of preacher you are, and the kind of congregation you serve.

Tags: Preaching, sermon prep, good sermon, poor preaching, Sermon Prep, preaching, Sermon prep  (view more)  (view less)

No Pressure: Great Preaching Must Connect Worlds Separated By Time And Space

By Sherman Haywood Cox on Sep 18, 2021

Helping people understand the Scripture in its native Bible world is not enough. We must help people to experience it.

Scripture: Genesis 15:8-21

Tags: guest preaching, lecture, bible story, Bible, Preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Is Consecutive Expository Preaching Really The Best Method?

By Dr. Iain Murray on Jan 17, 2025

This piece questions the modern assumption that consecutive “expository preaching” is the superior method and argues instead for gifted, Spirit-filled preaching in varied forms.

Scripture: Daniel 6:16

Tags: Exposition, Preaching, BIBLE STUDY, Homiletics, Bible Study, Pastoral Ministry, bible study, preaching, Biblical Interpretation, Sermon Method  (view more)  (view less)

How To Handle The Gore Of Good Friday

By Peter Mead on Mar 26, 2026

Easter preaching raises a hard question for pastors: how graphic should the crucifixion be? This article explores wisdom, purpose, and pastoral sensitivity.

Scripture: Isaiah 53:3-6, Matthew 27:27-50, 1 Corinthians 1:18, Galatians 3:13, Hebrews 12:2  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Good Friday, gospel proclamation, Gospel Proclamation

Does Preaching Still Work?

By Kenton C. Anderson on Oct 7, 2020

Though many question its impact, preaching remains central to spiritual formation because God still speaks through His Word.

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:2, Romans 10:17, Hebrews 4:12, 1 Corinthians 1:21, Acts 20:27  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, church leadership, preaching, Church Leadership

Loving Muslims Begins With Honesty

By SermonCentral .com on Apr 24, 2020

Do Christians and Muslims worship the same deity? It has become one of the most pressing and controversial questions in the world in the last fifteen years.

Scripture: 1 John 5:12, John 8:19, John 5:42-43, John 5:23

Tags: Islam, World Religions, disagreement, loving people, Identity of Jesus, what Muslims believe  (view more)  (view less)

The Growing Church Series: 10 Characteristics Of Churches That Grow

By Brandon Kelley on Feb 5, 2022

Instead of sitting and worrying about the state of the Church in America, let’s begin asking the question, what are growing churches doing differently?

Tags: Church Growth, intentional, proactive, Dying Church

How To Stay Healthy While Pastoring An Unhealthy Church

By SermonCentral .com on Dec 31, 2021

Hurting churches hurt people. Including pastors who try to help them. Here are 9 principles to help you stay strong.

Tags: Sabbath, Boundaries, pastoral leadership, Broken Church

Study: What Preachers Won't Preach About

By Toni Ridgaway on Mar 28, 2020

Over half of pastors avoid certain topics for fear of losing attendees. This report raises hard questions about courage, clarity, and faithfulness in preaching.

Scripture: Acts 20:17-32

Tags: Preaching, preaching, Biblical Faithfulness

Piper's Authority For Preaching

By SermonCentral .com on Jan 23, 2026

In this video John Piper answers the question, "What Bible passages do you use to base your claims about how we should preach?"

Tags: Bible Truth, preaching, bible, Preaching, Learning, Doctrine, Relevant, bible truth, Authority, Bible, Lesson, Joshua  (view more)  (view less)

Your Preaching Should Be Out Of This World--Seriously

By Sherman Haywood Cox on Oct 25, 2024

Beware of preaching that merely provides tools to help us become better situated in this present world rather than helping us to become ambassadors of the coming Kingdom.

Tags: preaching, Gospel, Preaching, Poverty, Debate, Confront, gospel  (view more)  (view less)

Why Every Sermon Needs A Strong Title

By Sherman Haywood Cox on Dec 11, 2021

Some preachers question whether sermon titles are necessary, but a well-chosen title can clarify, guide, and reinforce the main point of a message for both preacher and listener.

Scripture: Nehemiah 8:8, Ecclesiastes 12:9-10, 2 Timothy 4:2, Colossians 4:6

Tags: Choose, title, Pastoral Ministry

Understanding Halloween: A Biblical Perspective For Believers

By Josh Read on Oct 28, 2025

As the autumn leaves start to crunch underfoot and the air is turning crisp, Halloween pops up on our calendars once again. For so many, it's all about the costumes, candy, and a bit of harmless fun. But for us as believers, it often sparks some thoughtful questions: Is this just a lighthearted holiday, or is there more we should consider in light of our faith? Let's dive into Scripture together and explore a gentle, biblical lens on Halloween that helps us navigate it with grace and joy.

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:17, Philippians 2:4, Matthew 22:39, Ephesians 6:12, Deuteronomy 18:10-12  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Halloween, advice, Pastoring, church leadership, Church Leadership, pastoring, halloween  (view more)  (view less)